Iraqi army declares completion of Hawija operation

Military operations to regain control of Hawija have ended, Iraq’s military announced, declaring all tasks completed.

Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi forces “completed the second phase of the operation to recapture the town of Hawija and its surrounding areas,” Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, commander of the Hawija operations, announced in a statement published Tuesday night.

The operation to clear ISIS from the area known as the Hawija pocket southwest of Kirkuk began September 21.

On October 5, the army declared the town of Hawija liberated from ISIS, while operations continued east of the town.